Getting rid of excess garlic fumes? ;) I walked by there this week at lunchtime and they were open (or at least they seemed open) and no vents.

I can't imagine what is going on! Maybe some construction?

COMMENT 340709

2012-11-08 03:52 PM

Re: Pascucci, I was told fixing pipes down below, having to close while the work is being done during the day.Still open for dinner, though. If you're a fan, now would be a nice time to support the restaurant, the owner, and all of the employees.

COMMENT 340710

2012-11-08 03:54 PM

According to their website, "Emilios is evolving and undergoing renovation. Stay tuned for the grand re-opening."

COMMENT 340717

2012-11-08 04:22 PM

There's a lot more to the story of Emilio's demise. Despite the site claiming it is undergoing renovation, it is closed indefinitely.

COMMENT 340732

2012-11-08 04:46 PM

Will definitely head over to Pascucci's. They do a lot for the community.

COMMENT 340749

2012-11-08 05:49 PM

Pascucci's is awesome, a culinary star in the downtown area! Been going there since it was tiny little place in Paseo Nuevo. The food is consistently first class and at an awesomely low price and such friendly service. And no, I don't work there!

COMMENT 340764

2012-11-08 06:24 PM

Pascucci is a real homegrown Santa Barbara treasure. remember when they were just a hole in the wall in the Paseo Nuevo?

GREG

2012-11-08 06:53 PM

Emilio's was one of my favorite special occasion restaurants - romantic, unpretentious, good food and service, fine ambience.

COMMENT 340790P

2012-11-08 07:55 PM

My boyfriend and I used to go to Pascucci's when all they had was one male waiter, one Hispanic busboy and the owner. Perhaps six tables(?) and a small counter to sit at.

Even though we went many, many times, the owner (Laurel?) never recognized us or acknowledged our patronage. She always had a worried look on her face. The waiter was a cool, unflappable guy; taciturn and generally unsmiling. Great service. The food was excellent.

We were sorry to see the restaurant become bigger and less of a homey place, but how nice for the owner that it became so popular and well-patronized. We heard there was some small contretemps that took place when Pascucci's tried to expand with a similar, but differently named "sister" restaurant located out on Calle Real, in Goleta. Something about divergent thoughts on how things should be run, quality control or some such. Didn't that place go under? (Pure gossip, I know.)

The meals there now (Pascucci's) can't hold a candle to what used to be served, 16 or so years ago. That's to be expected, I suppose. However, we always recommend Pascucci's to the tourists we meet.

COMMENT 340797

2012-11-08 08:09 PM

I love to support local businesses rather than national chains, but honestly Pascucci's isn't that great in my book. The service has always been hit or miss and the food is really not great. I've tried numerous things on the menu since they opened, and I'm just not a fan. I've also had a couple of pretty bad adding up errors where I was once charged for someone else's salad in addition to mine and one just charged about $15 more for no discernable reason. Each time it was taken care of when I brought the problem to the waiter's attention, but it's still odd. I can count on one hand how many times that's happened to me in 20 years or so of eating out. And twice was here.

And no, I'm not a disgruntled ex-employee for those who will undoubtedly accuse me of such a thing. I'm just a local who has tried to understand what all the hype is about. And I don't get it!

COMMENT 340805P

2012-11-08 08:23 PM

My favorite over-charge story (people: add up your bills!) happened at Zelo, 15 or so years ago. I was treating a friend to dinner, and when the bill came I said to him, "I hope you enjoyed your glass of wine-----it cost $20!"

The wait person had charged us for the bottle of wine ordered by the couple at the table next to ours. And, of course, the couple next to us had been charged for my friend's glass of wine ($3 or $4). Always look at your bill prior to paying.

COMMENT 340821P

2012-11-08 10:03 PM

OK, I'll bite - what's the story on Emilio's ?

AGENTSME

2012-11-09 09:34 AM

Love Pascucci's - Great food and nice people.

COMMENT 340982

2012-11-09 10:46 AM

Emilio's went out of business. Former employee trying to buy it and reopen under another name.

COMMENT 340994

2012-11-09 11:10 AM

Pascucci's is pure gold. Many fond family memories were borne there. The food is great, the ambiance is great , and the service is consistently great-Year after year, after year. No restaurant is perfect- but 'locally owned' along the State street corridor is truly special and rare. I'm getting hungry.

COMMENT 341013

2012-11-09 11:57 AM

I have tried Pascucci many times and it went from bland to outright bad. I even told our waitress the food was not good and she vowed to WOW us with a free dish. We did not even finish it. Garlic bread = good. The rest of the food could be a reheated frozen dinner for all the taste it has. They are now officially off my list for ever.